Diclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

Hogwarts

...

Hermione sat at the table in the common room surrounded by books. Her homework was forgotten for the moment, though, as she looked over at where Ron was sitting with Dean and Seamus. He was smiling and listening to Seamus talk. Hermione felt a wave of anger as she remembered Hari's questions about Ron, and she knew Hari was hurt that Ron was seemingly ignoring her.

Just what had gotten into Ron now? Why hadn't he written to Hari? He had been so worried when they didn't know where she was. While they had some arguments while they were in Japan, she thought Ron and Hari had made up and that Ron saw that Hari was happier there. She thought he supported that, so what was going on now?

"Hey, Ron!" Lavender called sweetly when she entered the common room with Parvati.

Hermione caught the smirk Ron sent Dean and Seamus before looking over at Lavender.

"Hey," he said. "Want to join us?"

"Sure!" Lavender beamed dragging Parvati with her over to the fireplace and took a seat close to Ron.

Hermione looked away feeling stung. Why didn't Ron ask her to join them? He was always content to leave her with her books.

"You okay?" Neville asked suddenly appearing beside her.

Hermione glanced at him and smiled, "sure."

"He can be insensitive," Neville said taking a seat next to her and glanced at her shyly.

Hermione just nodded.

"It is strange," Neville said quietly.

"What is strange?" Hermione asked.

"Seeing you without Hari close by," Neville admitted. "Seeing the common room without Hari. I always thought it looked like she belonged here, and that the common room was warmer with her in it."

Hermione looked at Neville and saw the sad smile on his face.

"I know what you mean," Hermione nodded.

"I hope she is safe," Neville said.

Hermione nodded and felt guilty for not telling Neville that Hari was safe and happy. She hadn't really thought about Hari's other friends and what they must think. But no one was really asking about Hari anymore, it was like the summer had made it unimportant and that people had forgotten. There had been some talk on the first day if Hari would be back, but soon it was gone.

Neville had asked her if she knew anything else, but Hermione hadn't said anything, and she was again feeling bad about it.

"Mm," Hermione hummed not looking at him. "I miss her."

Neville looked at her for a moment and she wondered if he was going to ask but soon he nodded and pulled out his own book and started to work on his homework. Hermione didn't feel as surprised anymore seeing that he had started to join her when she was doing her homework. She smiled a little and turned back to her own homework ignoring Ron's loud laughter and Lavender's giggle.

...

"You and Neville seem close," Ron commented when Hermione was about to walk past him on her way to class.

"What?" Hermione asked turning to look at Ron who was on his own for once.

"You and Neville," Ron repeated. "You're always together these days."

Hermione arched a brow, "he joins me when I'm doing my homework."

"Which is always," Ron said.

"What's your problem, Ron?" Hermione asked frustrated. "You're ignoring me anyway, so what does it matter to you if Neville joins me when I'm doing homework?"

"I'm not ignoring you!" Ron protested. "You're the one who's always buried in your books! You're the one ignoring me!"

"I'm not!" Hermione denied angrily. "I'm not arguing with you about this now, Ron! Don't you come and act like the injured party when we both know that's not the case! And why haven't you written to Hari, Ron?"

Ron scowled, "she's not waiting for me to write."

"Idiot," Hermione said. "Of course she is! She asked me why you haven't been in touch!"

Hermione knew they had to stop talking about Hari like this now, but the words escaped her before she could stop them.

"I thought it was supposed to be secret," Ron said. "We shouldn't talk about it now."

"Fine," Hermione said. "But don't think I will forget it, and don't think that she will forget that you ignored her either, Ronald."

Hermione huffed and walked away pulling at the strap of her bag as she walked down the abandoned corridor and toward the classroom.

He made her so angry! Just what was wrong with him? Why did he always have to be so…so…annoying! He acted like he was the one wronged when he was the one who… Argh!

"Ron! Come join us!" Lavender called when Ron entered the classroom and Hermione kept from looking behind her as she heard Ron's feet shuffle toward Lavender and Parvati.

"Ron! Don't you want to sit with us today?" Dean asked.

"Already booked today, Dean," Ron laughed. "What about next class?"

"Sure thing," Dean laughed.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron was getting caught up in his rising popularity.

Well, whatever, she wasn't going to spend any more time on him if he was just throwing everything away just because the others talked more to him now.

"Hey, Hermione," Neville said.

"Hey, Neville," Hermione smiled. "Ready for class?"

"Mm," Neville said. "Thanks to you I think I will do well today. Professor McGonagall is really strict."

"She is fair, though," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Neville agreed.

...

Japan

...

They had started to prepare for nationals now and the rising tension was growing but so was the anticipation and excitement. They knew they would need to get stronger to make it through the nationals were teams from all over Japan would compete.

Hari was the last one done with practice and sighed quietly to herself. She had gotten clean-up duty and had been working on her serve longer than she had thought. She hadn't even noticed the others leaving.

She knew she had a lot of work to do when she came home, and she was curious about how Sirius' talk with Remus had gone. She hadn't heard anything since the mirror-call in the middle of the night, so she had no idea how it had gone.

Hari was on her way to the changing room when she noticed Ryuzaki walking toward the school. She wondered why she was so late to go back to her office, but she probably had talked with someone or something.

Hari was about to turn her attention away from her coach when she noticed Ryuzaki stop rather abruptly and a hand flying to her chest. It was something with how her body tensed that had Hari start to move toward Ryuzaki just as the older woman fell to the ground.

"Coach!" Hari called shocked as she started to run toward Ryuzaki and soon was on her side.

Hari felt like everything was happening at once but at the same time standing still, as her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

"Coach!" Hari called more desperately but there was no reply. She reached out and grabbed her shoulder and managed to turn her around so she was on her back. Ryuzaki's face was so pale and her mouth was slightly opened while her eyes were closed.

"Please breathe…please breathe…" Hari muttered as she checked her breathing and was relieved when she found that Ryuzaki still had a pulse.

"Someone! Help!" Hari called hoping that someone was close by. She pulled out her phone glad she had it out and not had left it in the changing room like usual. She quickly called the emergency number.

"Come on…" she muttered.

"119, what is your emergency?" a female voice asked.

"Please… my coach passed out!" Hari said knowing she needed to be calm. "She just collapsed!"

"Where are you?" the woman asked.

"At Seigaku Middle School by the tennis courts," Hari said quickly. "Please… hurry!"

"Help is on the way," the woman said. "Is the patient breathing?"

"I… I think so," Hari said checking again. "Yes… but it's weak."

"Okay, very good," the woman said. "I need you to be on the alert and…"

Hari had no idea how long it took before the ambulance arrived and Hari was gently but firmly pushed out of the way so the emergency workers could start working on Ryuzaki. Hari numbly stood back and watched how they efficiently did their work and moved Ryuzaki over on a gurney.

Hari followed and joined them in the ambulance when the man gave her a quick look and nodded his head toward the ambulance. Hari didn't really think as she just did what they asked and answered the questions they fired at her.

...

Hari was in the waiting room at the hospital alone. She didn't know what to do or who to talk to… should she call someone? She swallowed. Would Ryuzaki be alright? She hadn't stopped breathing, luckily. But she hadn't woken up either.

"Nurse," Hari asked. "My coach was brought in… I…"

"You need to sit down and wait," the nurse said kindly. "Can I call someone for you? Your parents, perhaps?"

"Um… I can do that," Hari said.

"Okay," the nurse said. "Be sure to do that…"

"But coach's family…" Hari said.

"We've called them;" the nurse said.

"Okay…thanks," Hari said walking over to the empty chair and pulled out her phone. She ignored the others sitting there, barely noticing them as her mind was spinning and she just wanted to go home but knew she couldn't.

She lifted the mobile and hoped someone would pick up.

"Hello!" Nanjiro's voice sounded. "Echizen's place!"

"O-O-Otou-chan," Hari felt a lump in her throat when she heard the familiar warm voice.

"Hari-chan?" Nanjiro asked. "What's wrong? Where are you? Ryoma said you stayed late." "Hari-chan?" Nanjiro asked. "What's wrong? Where are you? Ryoma said you stayed late."

"I…I…" Hari tried to swallow but it was hard. She needed to stay focused. She couldn't give in to the need to cry now. With a great effort, she managed to push the tears back. "I'm at the hospital. Coach Ryuzaki collapsed…"

"What?" Nanjiro asked. "I'm on my way, Hari-chan. Don't worry. Everything will be alright."

Hari slumped in her chair as she waited for something to happen. People came and went and she ignored the muffled conversations from the others there.

"Hari-chan!" Sakuno said making Hari look up and see the younger girl coming into the waiting room with who Hari guessed were her parents.

Hari got to her feet and soon she had a crying girl in her arms. Hari blinked a couple of times as she hugged her back.

"Thank you," Sakuno said. "Thank you."

"I didn't do…" Hari trailed off not knowing how to act or what to say. She felt like she hadn't done anything.

"You helped save her life," the woman said with tears in her eyes. "If you hadn't been there…"

Hari winced at the unsaid words. She just nodded unable to say anything.

Sakuno pulled away and went back to her mum as she sniffed. The man had already moved to find a nurse.

...

"Hey, Nanjiro," Ryuzaki Akiji said when Nanjiro entered the waiting room.

"Akiji," Nanjiro greeted. "How is she?"

"She had a mild heart attack," Akiji said seriously. "She's been feeling tired lately but refused to slow down and rest. The doctors say she'll make a full recovery if she takes time and rest for a little while and watch her cholesterol. You know, the drill."

"That's good," Nanjiro said relieved. "Where's Hari?"

"She took Sakuno to find something to eat," Akiji said. "I think she saw that Sakuno needed to do something and offered to go with her to the cafeteria."

"I see," Nanjiro said.

"She saved okaa-san's life," Akiji said. "If Hari-chan hadn't been there… I don't know what would have happened. The paramedics said that she did everything right and that she was calm and precise in her description of what had happened. It was thanks to her that they realised what had happened as quickly as they did."

"Good," Nanjiro said. "Coach Ryuzaki is strong, Akiji. She'll be back sooner than we think."

"It will be a challenge slowing her down enough to rest," Akiji agreed with a small smile. "Seriously, Nanjiro… I never been so afraid before…"

Nanjiro reached out and put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"If there's anything we can do call us, okay?" Nanjiro said.

"Thank you," Akiji said.

Just then Hari and Sakuno came back and Nanjiro rushed over and pulled Hari into his arms hugging her tightly. He felt the tension in her body even if she was hiding it very well from the others.

"Otou-chan…" Hari mumbled against his shoulder.

"You did good, kid," Nanjiro said.

Hari swallowed and sniffed a little but didn't say anything. When Nanjiro pulled back she glanced over at Akiji who had placed an arm around Sakuno's shoulders while they watched them.

"Is she okay?" Hari asked.

"Yes, she is resting now," Akiji said. "My wife is with her."

"Okay," Hari said. "Good."

"Do you want to see her?" Akiji asked.

Hari bit down on her lips for a moment before she shook her head, "she should rest. I'll come later."

"Okay," Akiji said. "I'll tell her."

Hari forced herself to just nod and stifled a yawn. Nanjiro glanced down at her before he looked at Akiji.

"I'll take Hari-chan home now," Nanjiro said. "Tell the old lady I'll be back later and to get better soon."

"I will," Akiji said. "Thank you, Hari-chan. You saved her."

Hari smiled but felt it more as a grimace. She felt tired…

...

"Hey," Nanjiro said when they got into the car. "You okay?"

"Yes," Hari said looking out of the window. "Just tired."

Nanjiro didn't say anything as he started up the car and soon they were driving home. Hari kept quiet as she watched the passing buildings and cars. She felt Nanjiro's eyes on her several times but refused to look over at him.

"We're here," Nanjiro said.

Hari blinked and realised they had arrived home and fumbled with the seatbelt before it unhooked, and she found the car door already opened and Nanjiro standing right there watching her concerned.

Hari felt exhausted as she got out of the car and was barely aware of Nanjiro supporting her inside. Rinko met them in the hallway and immediately hugged her. Hari swallowed back the tears again as she felt the warmth surround her.

"It's okay," Rinko said. "It's okay. You did good."

This was what she had missed after everything that had happened at Hogwarts. Someone who hugged her and said she had done good. The wall inside of her crumbled and she clung to Rinko and the calm she had been forcing since she saw Ryuzaki collapse crumbled.

"It was so scary…" Hari mumbled. "I thought… I thought…"

"You did everything right," Nanjiro said. "Akiji told me that you saved her life, Hari. The paramedics praised you for how calm and on the point you were and that your quick thinking made all the difference in the world. I'm so proud of you."

"Me too," Rinko said cupping Hari's face between her hands. "We're both so very proud of you."

"I just… I didn't know what I was doing, I just… acted," Hari said. "I just felt helpless."

"You must be tired," Rinko said gently. "I'll get you some food and then you should get ready for bed. You won't be working on your magic lessons today. I'll talk with Kasuya tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," Hari mumbled.

...

Even though Hari was tired she just couldn't fall asleep. So she stayed awake in her bed staring at the ceiling going over what had happened. Her mind wouldn't shut up and let her rest.

She had fought Voldemort himself when she was 11, a basilisk when she was 12 and Dementors when she was 13. She had been in dangerous situations and fought for her life and the lives of others before, but she couldn't remember feeling so helpless as she had when she saw Ryuzaki collapse like that. She felt useless as she had called for help and done as the operator on the phone had told her in order to help Ryuzaki. It felt like it was not enough, that she should have done more.

Yet there was another difference as well. No one had told her they were proud of her and that she had done a good job before. Yes, she had been thanked and hugged by Mrs Weasley when she and Ron had saved Ginny from the chamber. But it hadn't felt like this… the instant warmth and care from Rinko and Nanjiro who both had kept fussing over her until she was tucked into bed. They didn't leave her until they made sure she was safe in bed. It felt…strange but good.

She heard the door squeak slightly as it was pushed opened (it hadn't been completely closed). She turned to see Ryoma quietly entering her room. She pushed herself up so she was sitting up as he came and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Ryoma asked.

"Tired," Hari admitted. "But I can't sleep."

"Was it…scary?" he asked.

"Yeah," Hari admitted. "I… I didn't know what to do."

"You did the right thing," Ryoma said. "You called an ambulance."

"It still doesn't feel like it is enough," Hari said.

He looked at her for a moment before reaching out and took her hand in his.

"What else could you do?" he asked.

"I don't know," Hari said. "I just…"

She felt frustrated.

"I think I understand," Ryoma said. "But Hari, you did everything you could. It was lucky you were still there."

"I guess," Hari said.

"I should have stayed back with you," Ryoma said looking away.

"You and Momo-chan had plans with An-chan," Hari said. "It's not your fault."

Hari was glad she had decided to stay back and practice her serve a little more even as the others had left.

"I know that, but I could have been there for you," Ryoma said. "So you didn't have to have gone through it alone."

"I'm not alone now," Hari said.

"No, you're not," Ryoma smiled.

Hari swallowed back the tears again.

"You know… I was thinking…" Hari said not looking at Ryoma. "That before… I was always alone. When something happened, I was always just sent back on my own, no one took the time to check to see if I were fine. The Dursley's never cared to see if I were fine, the teachers at Hogwarts all just assumed I was fine on my own. Ron and Hermione would be the only ones who checked, but I couldn't tell them everything because they would worry too much."

Ryoma moved a little closer but Hari didn't really notice.

"I couldn't stop thinking about that today," Hari confided knowing Ryoma would listen. "When Otou-chan came rushing to the hospital like that and immediately hugged me when he saw me and stood beside me and got me home. How Okaa-chan hugged me when I got home and held me, saying they were proud of me. Not caring that I cried…"

Hari's voice was quiet as she admitted that she had cried but Ryoma didn't say anything just squeezed her hand.

"How they made sure I ate before going to bed," Hari continued. "No one has done that for me before. I never thought it mattered that much, that I was fine on my own like always. But… I realised that I've missed it."

"Hey," Ryoma said. "You're not alone, you are family, and we will be here for you. Oyaji and Okaa-chan will always be there and you won't have to go through anything on your own again, Hari."

...

Rinko felt tears in her eyes as she listened to Hari talking with Ryoma from outside her room. She knew she should go in and not listen like this, but she couldn't move. She knew that Hari had been overwhelmed and bewildered earlier, but to hear Hari admit how she felt… it was a lot.

Nanjiro was also there looking serious and sad as he met her eyes. They had been on their way to check on Hari when they heard her talking with Ryoma. It warmed her heart every time she saw the close bond between Hari and Ryoma. Ryoma always had been withdrawn from others, but since Hari had arrived, he had been more social and had an easier time connecting with the rest of the team.

But the way Hari talked now seemed to allude to something bad happening at her school, something more than what she had told them and it worried Rinko. Hari never really talked about her schooling in Britain, never went into details and they hadn't asked. But should they ask?

"Come on," Rinko said and raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Come in," Hari called.

Rinko opened the door and walked into the room quickly followed by Nanjiro.

"Hey, dear," Rinko said. "Thought we'd check and see if you were asleep."

"Can't sleep," Hari shrugged. "I'm tired, but it's like sleep won't come. Guess I'm too wired."

Rinko reached out and stroked the hair out of Hari's face and smiled gently. Hari let herself be pushed back into bed and had her duvet tucked around her once more. It felt nice.

"Are you thirsty?" Rinko asked.

"No," Hari smiled.

"Then try to sleep," Rinko said. "You need it. You did good and Ryuzaki will be fine."

"Sleep and we'll play tennis tomorrow!" Nanjiro grinned but his eyes showed worry as he looked at her. He patted Hari's shoulder before leaning down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Rest now, okay?"

"Okay," Hari mumbled suddenly feeling her eyelids drop. "Night…"

...

Sakuno was quiet as she walked through the school. It felt wrong being here now when her grandmother was in the hospital. She had wanted to stay there with her, but her parents and grandmother had told her to go to school. Everyone knew that her grandmother had collapsed the day before and was looking at her with pity in their eyes.

Sakuno was quiet as she walked through the school. It felt wrong being here now when her grandmother was in the hospital. She had wanted to stay there with her, but her parents and grandmother had told her to go to school. Everyone knew that her grandmother had collapsed the day before and was looking at her with pity in their eyes.

"Fine," Sakuno said trying to smile to her friend. "She's still at the hospital and I don't know when she'll be home."

"I heard Hari-chan saw it happen," Tomoka said. "Did she?"

"Yes," Sakuno nodded. "She did."

Tomoka hugged Sakuno before going to her seat and class started.

It was lunch and Sakuno shook her head when Tomoka asked her to come with her to eat. Sakuno didn't feel like going to the cafeteria and managed to convince Tomoka to go on her own. She felt a little bad, but right now she didn't think she could handle Tomoka's bubbly presence.

"Ah, Ryuzaki," Ryoma said. "How are you?"

Sakuno blushed a little when Ryoma talked to her first.

"I'm fine," Sakuno said shyly.

"You sure?" Ryoma asked making Sakuno look up at him and saw the way he looked at her. He didn't look at her with pity but rather with concern and warmth. "Hari was pretty upset yesterday, and I know how close you are with coach Ryuzaki so I can only imagine how upset you would be."

Sakuno swallowed and sniffed a little feeling the same dread she had yesterday when she had watched her father answer the phone and then turn pale before firing off questions about her grandmother. She had guessed just from Akiji's part of the conversation that her grandmother was in trouble.

"I'm scared," Sakuno admitted quietly. "What if Hari-chan hadn't been there? What if…"

"She was there," Ryoma interrupted gently and Sakuno glanced over at him. "Coach will be fine."

"I know," Sakuno whispered. "Where is Hari-chan?"

"With her class, I assume," Ryoma said. "I walked with her to school but haven't seen her since."

"I would like to see her," Sakuno said.

"Then come on," Ryoma said. "There's still some time during lunch."

"Oi! Sakuno!" Horio called. "How are you? How is coach Ryuzaki?!"

"Oh, I hope she's okay!" Mizuno and Kachiro said at the same time.

"I was so worried when I heard!" Horio exclaimed.

"She seemed fine during practice," Kachiro said.

"Loud," Ryoma complained giving them a warning glare. "Let's not talk about it now. Ryuzaki was going to see Hari now, so let her go."

Sakuno nodded and tried to smile to the boys. They backed off at Ryoma's glare but Kachiro smiled a little when he met Sakuno's eyes. She knew they meant well but all three of them at the same time was a little overwhelming.

Ryoma huffed a little but kept walking beside her and she glanced at him every few seconds wondering why he went out of his way like this. He normally kept a distance and seemed aloof around her but now he walked beside her and even seemed to glare at some of the pitying looks she got from the others.

Soon they were at Hari's classroom and Sakuno felt shy and out of place as the older students walked past her.

"Oi! Hari!" Ryoma called ignoring the others.

...

Hari looked away from Momoshiro and Kaido who both had joined her by her desk and were talking about Ryuzaki. She saw the worry in their eyes, and they all wondered what would happen at the tennis practice and hoped that Ryuzaki would be back soon.

"Ryo-chan," Hari said and blinked when she saw Sakuno almost hidden behind Ryoma. "Sakuno-chan."

"Hey, Sakuno-chan," Momoshiro said with a wave. Kaido grunted but gave her a searching look.

"Hey," Sakuno said shyly.

Hari glanced around and noticed the others in her class looking at Sakuno curiously while Sakuno looked uncomfortable. She got up and walked over to Sakuno and stopped in front of her so she was blocking her from most of her class.

"How are you?" Hari asked worriedly. "I was going to go and find you, but I didn't want to crowd you right away."

"It's fine," Sakuno said bravely. "I'm… fine."

Hari looked at her for a moment, "well, I know that's a lie."

"I'm scared," Sakuno admitted again. "But I try to be brave because they need me to be."

Hari nodded in understanding.

"How is coach Ryuzaki?" Hari asked.

"She's tired," Sakuno said. "But she says she's fine and that she'll be just fine."

"That's good," Hari said.

"Thank you, Hari," Sakuno said. "You saved her life."

"I didn't do much," Hari said. "But I'm glad I was there."

Suddenly Sakuno moved forward and hugged her and Hari blinked once before she hugged the younger girl back. She glanced at Ryoma who was standing back but watching closely. She was a little surprised that Ryoma had brought Sakuno to see her, but at the same time not. She knew her brother paid more attention to Sakuno than anyone knew.

"It will be okay," Hari murmured. "You just have to hang in there and it will work out, okay? Coach is strong."

"Mm," Sakuno nodded. "Sorry."

She pulled back but Hari just smiled at her. "Hey, I don't mind a hug from a friend. Call me if you need me, okay? If it's just to talk, or cry or just sit in silence with. It doesn't matter, okay?"

"Okay," Sakuno smiled a little.

"Good," Hari smiled back and glanced at Ryoma. "See you later, Ryo-chan. Classes are about to start so you should escort Sakuno-chan back to her class, okay?"

"Fine," Ryoma said. "See you."

...

"Uncle," Nanako called. "Call for you!"

Nanjiro looked up from his magazine and frowned.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Coach Ryuzaki," Nanako said.

Nanjiro hummed as he rolled over on the floor to get up and moved over to the phone.

"Hello?" He said. "How are you, old lady?"

He hummed and nodded as he listened to Ryuzaki talk.

"Okay, I'll be right there," he said and put the phone down.

"You going somewhere?" Nanako asked.

"The hospital," Nanjiro said. "I'll be back!"

"Okay, tell her to get well soon!" Nanako said. "I've arranged a fruit basket to be sent to her."

"Good," Nanjiro smiled at his niece. "You're a good girl."

"And you're acting strange," Nanako rolled her eyes. "Now leave before you're late."

Nanjiro laughed but soon turned serious.

He knocked on the door to the hospital room before entering and saw Ryuzaki in the bed looking like she had been sleeping.

"Ah, Nanjiro," Ryuzaki said when she saw him.

Nanjiro felt for a moment like a little kid again as he watched her. She had been the one who made him believe in his tennis and realise that he could go pro. She had pushed him and made him work hard and had been the one who supported him when he said he wanted to leave for the US.

"Old lady," Nanjiro said but there was a fond note in his voice making Ryuzaki laugh.

"Oi, I'm not dying," she said. "Stop worrying, brat."

"Who's worried, old hag?" Nanjiro shot back with a smirk.

She laughed again. "Well, come in then."

"Demanding," Nanjiro said but he closed the door behind him and walked over to the chair by the bed and sat down. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Ryuzaki said. "Like someone sat on my chest."

Nanjiro nodded, "don't die yet."

"Noted," Ryuzaki smiled. "So, how is Hari-chan? I hear she saved me."

Nanjiro turned serious again and sighed.

"She's going to be fine," Nanjiro said. "But she's pretty upset. I think you really scared her yesterday."

Ryuzaki nodded, "I hope she'll stop by. I would like to thank her."

"I'll tell her," Nanjiro said. "I don't know how to help her, coach. She's so… surprised every time someone shows open care for her and I just want to protect her from everything, but I keep feeling like I'm failing. I worry she won't come to me if she needs me, coach."

"She's grown a lot since she arrived, brat," Ryuzaki said. "She's happy and confident, and she really cares about you all. She knows you're there."

"I hope so," Nanjiro muttered.

Ryuzaki smiled, "think to see you being a worried dad. Ryoma and Hari-chan are lucky to have you."

Nanjiro scoffed at her but smiled a little right after.

"The reason I asked you here was to ask you for a favour," Ryuzaki said.

"Oh?" Nanjiro leaned forward. "What is it?"

...

"Do you think we'll get a new coach?" Kikumaru asked but he wasn't as enthusiastic as normal as he kicked the ground. "I don't want a new one. I want coach Ryuzaki!"

"I don't know," Oishi said calmly but looked upset too. "The important thing now is that coach Ryuzaki gets better."

"You okay?" Fuji asked looking at Hari.

Hari nodded, "yeah."

"It must have been scary," Kawamura said looking at her kindly. "I don't know if I would know what to do if it had been me."

"Me neither," Kikumaru said. "Our Hari-chan is a hero!"

"I'm not a hero," Hari protested with a frown.

"You are," Oishi said kindly. "You saved coach Ryuzaki."

"I'm not," Hari said sharply and walked away from them.

"I didn't mean to upset her," Oishi said quietly.

Ryoma sighed, "she'll be fine, senpai."

"She must have been scared," Fuji said looking at where Hari was standing by herself looking tense. He wanted to go over to her but was unsure how she would react to it.

"Let her be for a moment," Ryoma said.

They nodded reluctantly.

...

Hari inhaled deeply and tried to calm down. She shouldn't have snapped at Oishi like that, he hadn't meant anything by it and neither had Kikumaru or the others. But the way they looked at her… she couldn't stand it. It reminded her too much of how they looked at her at Hogwarts… and she couldn't be looked at like that here.

A look that looked up to her too much, that put too many expectations on her and thought she could solve anything.

Well, she knew they didn't think that… or she hoped they didn't. She couldn't, wouldn't be a hero. She wasn't one. She just did what she had to. She didn't want to be recognised as a hero. She just wanted to be Echizen Hari.

The hero was a part of Hari Potter and she didn't want to be her anymore. Not here. Not now.

She fisted her hands as she gritted her teeth as she felt the guilt build up inside of her making her almost feel sick. Why had she snapped like that? Why hadn't she just shut up? Oishi hadn't meant anything with it and now she looked like an idiot.

"You okay?" Ryoma asked.

"I'm a git," Hari muttered. "I shouldn't have snapped at him."

"No one is angry at you," Ryoma said. "Come on, let's go back to them, okay? We should find out soon what's going to happen with our tennis practice."

Hari nodded and followed Ryoma back and forced herself to look at Oishi who smiled kindly to her and she instantly felt worse.

"I'm sorry," Hari said.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Hari-chan," Oishi said. "Are you okay?"

Hari didn't feel like she deserved instant forgiveness, but she smiled a little as she nodded.

"Yo!"

Hari and Ryoma spun around and stared at the familiar man having come up behind them and was now smirking at them. Hari heard Ryoma groan next to her as she stared at Nanjiro wondering why he was there even as she had an idea.

"You're Echizen's dad, nya!" Kikumaru said.

"Hari-chan's too!" Nanjiro said brightly.

"What are you doing here, Oyaji?" Ryoma demanded.

"Don't be rude, brat," Nanjiro said. "I'm your temporary coach until the old lady is back."

Hari sighed but found Ryoma's expression of tight expression that clearly said that he considered this bad news but tried to indifferent. It made a very amusing expression.

"When was this decided?" Hari asked.

"Today," Nanjiro said.

"How is coach Ryuzaki?" Oishi asked worriedly.

"She's fine," Nanjiro answered with a softer smile than normal. "She'll be back before you know it, but she needs a little rest so that's why I'm here to help you all."

"Thank you, coach Echizen," Oishi said and the others echoed the thanks while Ryoma sighed.

"Coach, huh," Nanjiro said thoughtfully. "I can get used to that. Hah! But call me coach Nanjiro! It will be confusing if not! I'm not one for the whole formal thing anyway!"

Hari shook her head as she watched and wondered if this was a good idea.

"Well, I know you all are worried and thinking about Ryuzaki," Nanjiro said. "That's why I'll give you the day off. Tomorrow you'll meet as normal after school and we'll continue preparing for Nationals."

"Okay, coach Nanjiro," they said.

...

"Want to come with us to visit coach Ryuzaki?" Fuji asked.

Hari hesitated for a moment and bit her lip before she nodded.

"Hari-chan!" Nanjiro said appearing beside her while narrowing his eyes at Fuji who just smiled back.

"Otou-chan," Hari said with a sigh.

"Were you surprised?" Nanjiro asked with a grin.

"More the fact that you said yes," Hari deadpanned. "I would have thought you found this to be too boring."

"Nah," Nanjiro said. "I get to play tennis!"

"You know you're supposed to teach us tennis," Hari said.

"It's the same thing," Nanjiro said. "Are you coming home with me?"

"No," Hari said. "I'm leaving with Shu-chan."

"But…" Nanjiro protested. "I want to go home together."

Hari rolled her eyes, "behave, Otou-chan, or I'll tell Okaa-chan."

"Meany," Nanjiro pouted.

Hari looked at Fuji who watched them amused.

"I'll just go and get my things," Hari said, and Fuji nodded.

Fuji watched her walk away and moved to go and find his things himself when he noticed Nanjiro looking at him.

"She spends a lot of time with you," Nanjiro said.

"She's my friend," Fuji said calmly.

Nanjiro nodded and Fuji noticed the concerned look in his eyes as he watched Hari enter the changing room she used. Fuji knew that the act Nanjiro had just put on was to cheer Hari up and that he had been observing her with sharp eyes all the while they had been talking.

"I look forward to seeing you play tomorrow, Fuji," Nanjiro said. "You have talent."

He walked away then leaving Fuji standing there for a moment. He had, of course, heard of Echizen Nanjiro before. Most tennis players in Japan had, and especially the ones attending Seigaku. He would admit that he was curious to see what he could learn from someone like Nanjiro.

...

Fuji, Oishi, Kikumaru and Hari arrived at the hospital first. They had agreed that they would go in two groups and the rest would visit Ryuzaki later. It would be too nosy if they all went together.

"Come on," Fuji said when he noticed Hari hesitating.

"Okay," Hari said following behind them to the room they had been told she was in.

Kikumaru knocked on the door.

"Come in," Ryuzaki called.

Hari stayed behind the others as she followed them slowly into the room. She watched as Kikumaru rushed to the bed while exclaiming his concern and Oishi and Fuji followed right behind him while Hari stayed back just watching them.

She saw the smile on Ryuzaki's face as she reassured the boys that she was fine and that she would be back soon. Hari thought she still looked pale and tired, but at least she was conscious and talking now.

"Ah, Hari-chan," Ryuzaki said looking over at her. "I hear I have you to thank for getting to the hospital in time."

Hari forced a smile and stepped forward fighting the need to run out of the room. She wasn't sure why she felt like that, she was happy that Ryuzaki was going to be okay, but she still felt like she should have done something differently.

"I'm glad you're going to be fine," Hari said.

"Thank you," Ryuzaki said. "Without you, this would have been much worse."

Hari just nodded feeling shy and uncomfortable. She wished the others wouldn't look at her.

"So, how long will you be away for?" Fuji asked shifting the attention away from Hari.

"I don't know yet," Ryuzaki said. "It's still wait and see, but hopefully before Nationals."

"That's just a month away," Oishi said.

"Ryo-chan won't thank you for asking Otou-chan to step in for you," Hari warned making Ryuzaki laugh.

"He won't, eh? Well, those two brats are too alike," Ryuzaki said.

Hari nodded in agreement.

...

It was a nice night. Hari sat outside on the patio watching the stars thinking about everything. She was glad she had gone to visit Ryuzaki. She felt better having seen her and made sure that she really was going to be fine. The image of her just collapsing like that had been scary and she realised that she really cared about the older woman.

She worried about Sakuno, though. The younger girl had looked pained at school and she knew that Sakuno was really close with her grandmother. It must have been worse for her to hear that Ryuzaki was at the hospital. How scary it must have been…

If it had been Nanjiro or Rinko she wasn't sure what she would do…

Karupin mewed making Hari look down and reached out to scratch the cat's ears. Karupin mewed again and leaned into her hand.

Hari was walking toward the changing room when she noticed Ryuzaki and was about to turn away when Ryuzaki suddenly collapsed. With a feeling she had done this before Hari rushed over to her calling her name as she ran.

"Coach Ryuzaki! Coach!"

She fell to her knees beside the still form of Ryuzaki and a feeling of dread filled her as she reached out to touch her… her hand stilled just before she touched the shoulder and she couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen this, done this before.

She shook the feeling off and grabbed the shoulder and turned Ryuzaki around…

only it wasn't Ryuzaki but Rinko.

Rinko was lying on her back with her eyes opened and a look of surprise on her face. She was completely still.

"Okaa-chan?!" Hari yelled. "Okaa-chan!"

No answer.

She shook Rinko but then it changed and it was Nanjiro lying there with his eyes closed and mouth slightly opened.

"No! Otou-chan… nonono…" Hari moaned tears already falling from her eyes. "NO!"

Then…

Ryoma…

"RYOMA! NO!"

He didn't move or say anything. His eyes wide opened and accusing.

Why didn't you save me, Hari? They seemed to say.

"NO! Please…"

Ryoga then took his place and Hari cried harder.

"You will lose everything, Hari," a silky soft voice said in her ear.

Hari didn't move.

"You see them before you now and see what will happen soon…" the bodiless voice taunted. "See what love gets you, Hari? Only pain and fear… You will regret it soon. Running away… I will find you and when I do I will ruin everyone you care about."

Hari yerked awake gasping for breath. Her cheeks were sticky from tears and it took a moment to realise where she was as she looked up at the stars above her sparkling down at her while her scar burned.

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

Thank you for reading and hope you liked the chapter! XD